Winning run ends for Deeping Rangers

Mark Lea

Deeping Rangers missed the chance to move into the top three in a defeat which saw a bizarre own-goal, two red cards and two penalties.

After three successive wins, they suffered a disappointing start to the new year.

I thought Jezz’s red card was really harsh. He was fouled from behind and flung his arms but caught their lad in the face. There was no intention to hurt him.

Michael Goode

Jack Bowen’s early volley hit the post but Cogenhoe United went ahead on the half-hour mark.

Luke Hunnings’ back-pass took a bobble, wrong-footing keeper Danny Bircham whose attempts to clear only helped the ball over the line.

Rangers equalised after 51 minutes when Ross Harris handled on the line to be sent off and David Burton-Jones levelled from the spot-kick.

Cogenhoe’s winner came from another penalty after 63 minutes as Bowen converted after Spencer Tinkler was adjudged to have handled.

Deeping also finished with 10 men after Jezz Goldson-Williams received his marching orders for violent conduct.

Boss Michael Goode said: “It was a very disappointing day and a game which we should have definitely got something out of and could have won.

“It shouldn’t have gone ahead as the pitch was pretty wet and then once it started raining, the last 25 minutes were almost unplayable.

“We started slowly but we looked to have weathered the storm until the own-goal. It was a mistake – Danny wasn’t put under pressure but he took his eye off the ball.

“We rallied in the second half and at 1-1 against 10 men we looked for the second goal too quickly instead of settling ourselves down.

“At 2-1 down we had some chances but I thought Jezz’s red card was really harsh. He was fouled from behind and flung his arms but caught their lad in the face. There was no intention to hurt him.

“We threw everything at them in the last 10 minutes and the second-half response was pleasing. But we didn’t start the game well enough and that’s frustrating. Unfortunately we are getting into good runs and then losing games like this.”

Meanwhile, Holbeach United’s home game against league leaders Leicester Nirvana was called off along with Bourne Town’s trip to Bugbrooke St Michaels in Division One.